In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend

I wanted to start a new section in this blog: Encouragement. There have been many songs that have encouraged me the last years as I've wrestled with abandonment while being misunderstood and attacked. The truth of God's word through song is powerful. I've written the lyrics with a prayer interwoven...

Song and prayer:

1.

In Christ alone my hope is found,

Lord, though situations seem hopeless, You are the resurrected Lord. We hope in a God who not merely used this power for our salvation but uses that same power on our behalf.

He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

My wait for you needn't be a funeral procession. You are my truth. You strengthen me. You enable me to live in joy. You are firm and solid despite the raging storms of tumultuous relationships.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

As we lay at times weary from unfulfilled longings and unsuccessful reconciliations, you are able to pierce through the discouragement to illuminate our position of "loved" instead of lonely... comforted instead of abandoned. You are able to bring us peace in the midst of our frantic efforts to "finally succeed". You are able to release and adore who you made us to be rather than allow us to continue driving ourselves to achieve things and/or love that are not meant for us.

My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

We stand then, not in who we are, but in who you have created us to be. Fallen, yes ... but loved! ... unique ... purposefully so! We stand in our fallen uniqueness because that is what you made. It is what you cherish. It is the reason for our rest.


2.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:

As I have been misunderstood, I confess my false accusations of you. Frustrated by my own inabilities, I have scorned you rather than receive Your gift of love and acceptance. I have desired your gifts rather than you.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

Lord, though I deserve your disapproval and wrath, I can stand unafraid. Though others try to shame me, my refusal to accept this shame is not self-righteousness but utter dependency on righteousness not my own... a "righteousness that is stronger than all my sin." Though my scorn of you was so much greater than any scorn done to me, I stand in your presence because of your great, pursuing, self-sacrificial love for me.


3.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:

How frustrating that truth is, at times, slain.

Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!

But, it is slain for just a moment!

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

Alleluia! As you now stand in victory, you remove the curse of slain-truth. Though my situation is unknown to most and I appear cruel and bitter, I can stand! Though some of their accusations be true, I can stand! I am bought... chosen... wanted! I am worthy... bought at a precious price!


4.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

Lord, help me as I chose to believe your Word and walk through life refusing to be weighed down by the burdens of guilt and shame. Just as I know I will be with you in heaven forgiven of my sins, I can live with you on earth... forgiven of my sins!

This is the power of Christ in me;

I can do this with Christ's resurrection power alone! It is supernatural and you give it to me.

From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.

Lord, this is your plan for me!

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Satan cannot hurt me. The cruel scheming of man cannot overtake me! They cannot remove me from the love, acceptance and relationship I have with you. You have won me and I am in your grip.... irremovable!

Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Lord, by the grace and power of Christ, I stand with you now and forever more. Amen!

What about slandering Satan?

Though many would agree gossip is wrong, they allow for slanderous accusations to go unchecked as long as the person is "really guilty". How interesting that the Bible addresses this using the most extreme example, Satan, to demonstrate that this is unacceptable.

Reference: Jude 1: 8-9

Biblical Summary: The archangel Michael and Satan were disputing yet Michael "did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him."

Reflection:
I like this passage because it demonstrates a few things about disagreements...

Certain things are allowed:

1. Michael engaged in a dispute. He was allowed to disagree and do so verbally. v9
   
2. Michael was allowed to say, "The Lord rebuke you." v9
   

Certain things are not allowed:

1. Michael did not bring a "slanderous accusation against him [Satan]." v9

Let's look at some of these definitions.

• Dispute: to engage in argument (Merriam Webster)

• Slander: an abusive attack on a person's character (www.english-test.net)

• Accusation: a formal criminal charge against a person alleged to have committed an offense punishable by law (legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com)

• Rebuke: to criticize or reprove sharply, to reprimand (thefreedictionary.com) (Reprove: to voice or convey disapproval of)
  

So... We ARE allowed to engage in debate of actions and ideas but need to leave disapproval for their person to the Lord. Even with Satan, we ought not abusively attack his character in response to his atrocious crimes. Instead, we attend to the matters we can and let the Lord deal with the heart and character. He alone is able to judge with full knowledge of their hearts, minds and motives.

Prayer
Lord, You alone know each and every situation as well as each and every heart. You know which circumstances have wounded us due to another's sinful heart and which have wounded us due to a sinful action from a repentant soul. Of course, illuminate us to ways we have been hurt due to mere differences... not sins on either part.

Help us to focus on actions and verbalized thoughts instead of character and intent. Keep us in our frustration from attacking the soul of another. Forgive us for the arrogance of wanting to do this, at times. Forgive us for having done this, at times.

Lord, as we so badly want to be understood. Give us the same desire to understand others... treating others how we want to be treated. When we disagree, aid us in examining ourselves in humility. Give us the words and grace to confront ideas that are wrong. When these false ideas and/ or cruelty remain unchanged, allow us to trust you that you will rebuke. You delay is planned. Your delay is purposeful. And, your promise of a future and a hope (Jer 29) remains true!

Two Final Verses:
Psalm 7:9 "O Righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring an end to the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure."

1 Chronicles 28:9 "For the Lord searches every heart, and understands every motive behind the thoughts."